SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE
Agenda: There will be reports on the August 20th UE-GE Conference Board meeting, the August 22nd-28th ROC activities, the September 1st meeting with the 506 E-Board and Todd Wyman, the September 7th Officers meeting with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, and a report on the September 16th and 17th General Executive Board meetings. The Officers will also report on the Building 12 Rad Cab investment plan and the Console move. Fin. Sec. Denny McLaughlin and I.R. Andrew Dinklelaker will report on the Organizing Institute held in Mexico.|
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS AND TIMES ARE: |
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Thursday, September 23, 2004 (All meetings) |
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7:20 a.m. (3rd Shift) |
1:00 p.m. (2nd Shift) |
3:20 p.m. (1st Shift) |
ODDS AND ENDS
Job Posting and Upgrading Procedure language improved – After a vote of the membership, language was adopted allowing pieceworkers, "fully qualified in a skill area other than the one engaged in", the right to bid even though they’re not off break-in status. The new language gives pieceworkers the same opportunity that dayworkers have had over the years.
Thanks to everyone who bought 50-50 tickets benefiting the Harborcreek Youth Service Children’s Activity Fund sponsored by the newly organized members of UE Local 642. And the winner was…Charles Blanchard of Local 618.
Insurance Holiday Announced? – No we’re not going to get another day off but hourly and non-exempt workers participating in either of the two Dependent Life Insurance Plans will not have premiums deducted from their checks for 14 weeks. It seems the higher exempt plan premium rate was incorrectly applied to us, between 1998 and 2003, so the "holiday" was created to rebate the overpayment back to us. The premium-free period will begin October 15th. By the way, the holiday covers retirees as well.
Last month, we wished Divisional Chief Steward Ralph Mannarino a speedy recovery and low and behold he returned to work September 10th. Since that worked so well, we’d like to wish the same to Building 2 Chief Jim Jaroski who has also been out recovering from surgery. Jim, hopefully you’ll be back with us soon.
No meatballs? – The officers were notified that the GE logo will no longer grace our pay stubs. Citing some issue associated with affiliate companies, the GE "Meatball" will be removed from checks beginning week 39. What’s next? Will GE remove the logo from our Service Awards?
UE-GE CONFERENCE BOARD REPORT
On August 20, 2004 a UE-GE Conference Board Meeting was held at the National Office in Pittsburgh. Mike Sidelinger, Bldg. 12 and Giavanni Caputo, Bldg. 10, E-Board members Dave Adams, Pate Dillen, Dennis Crawford, Dan Ebert and Dale Stubenhofer and the 506 Officers served as delegates to the meeting.
Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey explained upcoming changes in the enrollment procedure (see page 5) and the Dependent Life "Holiday" (see Odds and Ends on page 4). During a discussion that followed, 506 Delegate Mike Sidelinger pointed out the importance of making sure you secure a confirmation letter for any benefit changes.
UE Washington Rep. Chris Townsend spoke on the upcoming General Election. "There isn’t a more important election in our lives", Chris stated. He stressed the importance of registering. "100 million eligible workers can vote but don’t register". "But, the good news is" he stated, "In 2002, 86% of all registered voters did vote". Chris explained that with redistricting since the last presidential election, more electoral votes can be lost so we have to worker even harder to get out the vote, The I.R. cited the fact that 8 million people won’t have overtime come Monday (8/23).
On the CBC, General President John Hovis explained that he and Conference Board Secretary Steve Tormey have been discussing the 2007 Negotiations with the IUE/CWA and other affiliate Unions. Committees have been set up to work on developing the best possible "Table" structure. The UE Conference Board would like to see the "Small Table" re-instituted for more Rank and File Negotiating Committee members.
Secretary Tormey told delegates that the GE Lighting Division is attempting to get mid-contract concessions at some of their locations. He also said that "Side By Side" refrigerators were being taken out of Bloomington – impacting 700 jobs. There was a discussion about how to best support these CBC affiliates. Under UE-GE Local reports, delegates heard from Local 751 representatives from the Niles-Mahoning Lighting Division. The Niles Plant production was down and they may be facing additional time off. The Mahoning situation was better but they were waiting to see if a major outlet would sign with GE. Local 332 in Fort ‘Edwards, NY accused the Company of instituting a hiring freeze. They have everyone on the recall list back.
G.E. has invested $250 million on the development of the Tier Two locomotive and the railroads seem to be happy with the results. The 50 Tier Two locomotives that are currently in service across America have logged over 2 million miles without any major problems. The 2005 forecast looks good, locomotive orders are expected to be healthy, OHV should have another good year, and although a problem with gears has slowed production in Wind Energy, the company fully expects to have that product line up and running in 05’.
After the business review, E-Board members took the opportunity to air some issues, most centering on farmouts in production, plant services and transportation. Mr. Wyman promised to look into each issue and report back to the respective Divisional Chief Steward.
Secretary of Transportation visits Erie GE
On Tuesday September 7, 2004, the Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta visited the Erie works. The Secretary toured Buildings 10 and 26 and afterward held a press conference where he said the economy has turned the corner and indicated that only low paying jobs were being sent overseas. Secretary Mineta is the only Democrat in the Bush cabinet and although he never spoke the words, clearly his visit had a re-elect Bush theme. After the press conference the officers met with the Secretary and respectfully disagreed with the notion that only low paid jobs were leaving our shores. We also did some lobbying for HR 2725, the Railroad Track Modernization Act of 2003, which has been stuck in Congress for a year. This House Resolution would authorize the Secretary of Transportation to establish a grant program for the rehabilitation, preservation, or improvement of railroad track.
Election Day Approaches
Election Day, November 2nd, is only 45 days away and every American age 18 and over has the right to vote. If you are not registered to vote you can do so in the plant on Tuesdays and Thursdays until September 28th; all new voters must be registered by October 1st. Those who choose not to vote are saying "whatever happens is fine with me"
I’m reminded of a speech at the Democratic Convention, the example was an auto plant that had closed in Michigan and the people who worked there were forced to compete with their children for $7.50 an hour job. If you believe that’s just a story the Democrats made up, talk to the folks who worked at Hammermill, Smith Meter, or National Forge. You’ve heard this before but it bears repeating, every generation has left a higher standard of living than the previous generation, but that will end with our generation.
These are the indisputable facts: 3 million manufacturing jobs lost in the last 4 years, Health Care costs are increasing 15% each and every year. Overtime pay is being taken away from millions of workers and a comp and flex-time scheme, that will allow companies to give workers time off rather than paying overtime is in the making. At the Republican Convention, President Bush said the pension plan rules had to be changed in order to make the American worker more competitive with third world workers. The workers in China are paid 80 cents an hour, what other changes do President Bush and Congress have in store for us?
PLEASE VOTE
UE and JOBS with JUSTICE SPONSOR HEALTH CARE FORUM
By Sean Lynch
On Saturday August 28th the UE, in conjunction with the North Western Pa. chapter of Jobs with Justice, held an informational forum on HR676, the "Universal Single Payer National Health Care for All" bill. Testimony was gathered from those willing to tell their personal stories of dealing with a broken Health Care system. Following the testimony, panel members stated their concerns and related incidents of failures within that system. The five-member panel consisted of: Dr. Scott Tyson, a Pittsburgh pediatrician and a spokesperson for Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), Dr. Rudolph Mueller, author of the book "As Sick as it Gets", written about the failures of our Health Care delivery system, Dr. Steve Keister, Erie physician and member of PHNP, Steve Porter, Candidate for Congress and Erie City Councilwoman Rubye Jenkins-Husband.
After introductions by UE organizer Karen Hardin, Tom Migdal formerly of APM and UE Local 692, told of the frightfully high costs of COBRA, that insurance plan for those who are laid off or who have terminated employment. His insurance bill jumped from $781 a month to $1431 per month. Hearing this testimony, Dr. Scott Tyson remarked, "Remember a COBRA is a large deadly snake". UE Local 697 Member Sue Falk, on strike at Flex-y-Plan over health care costs sharing, testified about the high monthly employee contributions. She also has high monthly pharmaceutical costs that erode the balance of her paycheck.
Local 506 E- Board Member Matt McCracken argued, "We should be opening more Veterans Administration Hospitals not closing them down". Matt continued, "We are creating more veterans in need of care so we should be opening more to accommodate these needs. We are providing free health care to a country we invaded, why not free health care for our own citizens".
Corbin Fowler of the Erie Peace and Justice Center discussed a colonoscopy. The fee was $2,000. Insurance wouldn’t pay until you found out you had cancer. You need a colonoscopy to find that out. He said it was a "Catch 22". Brian Costello, an immigrant from Ireland, talked about the system in his former homeland. He pointed out that the US pays about 18.4% of total income for health care where Britain spends around 7%.
Bill Welch explained the negative impact that increasing medical insurance has on local governments. Bill said, "Edinboro is facing a large tax increase". He complained of paying $1.81 per pill for high blood pressure medication. A small independent pharmacy sold them to him for $.20 each. Local 506 Member Mike Benedict told of 18,000 young adults dying last year due to the high costs of health care. Referring to the significant administrative costs, Mike explained that " Insurance companies never put on a cast or prescribe medicine".
For those who say we have clinics to serve the needy our panel altered the prevailing view. At St. Paul’s clinic a contributing physician stated, "We are practicing 3rd world Medicine at the clinic." The Neighborhood clinics run by Safe Net are all gone, except the branch at 12th St. and State St. Erie Mayor Rick Filippi explained that either raising taxes or increasing contributions on employees are the only present solutions. "HR 676 would take a burden off taxpayers and employees alike", according to the Mayor.
Charlie Fry, of Retirees Association of General Electric (RAGE), complained about patients being denied Brand Name drugs when the Doctor marked Brand Name needed on the prescription. Margaret Farmer, a senior citizen, argued "We shouldn’t have to worry about being arrested for taking the bus to Canada to get affordable medicine."
Congressional Candidate Steve Porter explained the HR 676 by detailing how it would be run and funded. Steve accentuated the savings the Plan would bring about. Dr. Scott Tyson, from Pittsburgh, stated that there is much disinformation out there promoted by those who want to keep the status quo in our poor health care system. Dr. Rudolph Mueller from nearby Lakewood New York related patient cases he is familiar with that have fallen through the cracks. Patients who were unemployed for only 2 months and had no insurance during that time have had life altering consequences.
The Forum was followed by a picnic in Perry Square, where everyone got to meet each other and
discuss the day’s events. As a result of the event, on September 8, 2004, Council passed a resolution sponsored by Rubye Jenkins-Husband. The resolution requests federal elected officials to endorse HR 676, the Universal Health Care Act of 2004.Kitchen's Kabinet September 2004
The Union’s grievance activity for the year is still on the low side at 58 cases - Fourteen have been added since last month. Last year the Union had processed 122 cases during the same period of time.
Even though the grievance activity is low there is an indication problems on the shop floor are starting to elevate in certain areas of the plant. The company in some respects considers the busy schedule as an opportunity to let the small issues fester. Bosses are to busy it seems to be bothered by some nagging concerns and even some major issues like the unequal distribution of overtime, pricing, farmouts, management working hourly jobs on an incidental and sometimes regular basis (including overtime). In a few areas we are also sensing a general lack of respect for individual workers and our organization as a whole. Although they start out small, if these issues are ignored, they will get much larger and cause production disruptions.
On the shop floor, it is our responsibility as Union leaders to ensure these issues are getting addressed and to be in constant communication within the Chief Stewards/Stewards system to keep members informed. Management has the responsibility to listen to the complaints and give the issues the honest consideration they deserve- All in an effort to resolve the problem. If either side turns a deaf ear, then the process breaks down and larger problems are created. As officers we have taken some of these issues to management at our level and fully expect they will be looked at and, if possible, resolved to the satisfaction of the shop floor.
The radiator cab area in Building #12 is under reconstruction and no doubt the area will see problems come up which must be addressed in a timely manner. Some of the concerns of the workers in the area have already been taken to management and we are working on resolutions to pay problems, overcrowding and training. The union understands the significance of the modernization and look positively on the investment. We also understand the ultimate goal of the company is to make more money, and in light of this, we don’t expect to make less, either in the short term or long term. We believe investment in the facility or the workers should benefit both parties. Where it does, we have been cooperative. Where it doesn’t, we express our concerns and will always look out for the best interests of our members.
IMPORTANT ENROLLMENT CHANGES
Beginning January 1, 2005, a recently approved GE Benefit change will extend the 31-day enrollment period to 63 days for the following Plans: Medical and Dental Insurance, Long Term Disability, Dependent Life, Security Life, A Plus Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and Long-Term Care Insurance.
If they haven’t already, GE will be mailing out a notice with information on this improvement and other key changes to the enrollment process. We thought it was important to supplement that information by comparing the current process to the new one and explaining the impact it will have on GE Workers. Here’s the long and the short of the matter:
1. Regarding Medical and Dental Insurance
Affecting New Hires and Rehires - Currently, they have 31 days after the hire/rehire date to select a medical and or dental plan. If they don’t choose a plan in that time, they will automatically be enrolled for "default" medical coverage, which, as one recent new member found out, can be at a much higher contribution level than needed. As of 1/1/2005, this group will have 63 days to enroll.
Affecting Existing Workers – Currently we have 31 days to add a new dependent on our medical and or dental plans after a qualified event (For instance: marriage, the birth or adoption of a child or if your spouse loses medical coverage). If you miss the 31-day deadline, you can add a new dependent anytime but you have to supply proof of good health. As of 1/1/2005, you will have 63 days to enroll in these plans after a qualified event. Its important to point out here, if you miss the 63-day deadline, you will have to wait until the next Fall Annual Enrollment period to add the new dependent, however you will not need proof of good health as in the past.
Its also important to point out here that the same 63-day period will apply to workers who need to remove a dependent for the Medical and Dental Plans. If you miss the 63-day deadline after a qualified event (For instance: a divorce or loss of a dependent) you will have to wait until the Fall Enrollment Period to cancel coverage.
2. Optional Benefit Plans
The enrollment period for Long Term Disability, A-Plus Life, Security Life, Dependent Life and the Long-Term Care Insurance plans will also be lengthened from 31 days to 63 days.
Workers (hired after 1/1/ 2001) who miss the 63-day deadline for Long -Term Disability will still default to the 50% level of coverage and anyone rehired will default to their previous level of coverage. For existing workers, the changes do not include an open LTDI enrollment period even though we’re long over due for one. But as with A-Plus Life, Security Life, Dependent Life and Long-Term Care Insurance, you can apply for LTDI at anytime with a statement of health.
3. Our Opinion
Extending the enrollment period will definitely benefit the new GE Workers who are inundated with materials to read, decisions to make and forms to fill out. Extending the enrollment period will also benefit current workers experiencing life events that demand a lot of time and attention. As we see it, the only drawback associated with the new process comes into play when someone misses the 63-day deadline to add a dependent to or remove one from the medical and dental Plans after a qualified event. Beginning January 1st the worker missing the deadline will have to wait until the Fall Enrollment Period to change benefit coverage. The good thing is that they will not have to provide a statement of health at that time.
To avoid missing the deadline we suggest you make calling the GE Enrollment Center a priority after a qualified event. Don’t put it off until your too late.
The Annual Enrollment period will be October 4 through October 29, 2004.